The governor appeared before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives following mounting concerns about questionable tender awards and procurement processes within the county government.

The probe centers on several major contracts awarded between 2022 and 2024, including road construction projects, medical equipment supplies, and county infrastructure development.

According to documents seen by investigators, the procurement irregularities involve inflated project costs, non-competitive tendering processes, and payments made to suppliers who allegedly failed to deliver goods and services.

Some contracts were reportedly awarded to companies linked to county officials and their associates.

Governor Otuoma, who took office in 2022, has maintained his innocence, stating that his administration has operated within the law and followed all due procurement procedures.

“I have cooperated fully with the investigators and provided all the documentation they requested. We have nothing to hide,” the governor said in a brief statement after recording his statement.

The investigation has also roped in several county officials, including members of the procurement committee, finance officers, and heads of various departments.

At least six county employees have already been questioned, with some asked to provide documents detailing how specific tenders were awarded.

The probe follows complaints from contractors and civil society groups who raised concerns about the transparency of procurement processes in the county.

Auditor General reports had also flagged several procurement irregularities in Busia County over the past two financial years.

EACC spokesman confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that more individuals could be summoned to assist with inquiries.

The commission has emphasized that no one will be spared if found culpable of corruption or economic crimes.

Busia County Assembly members have called for transparency in the investigations and urged all implicated officials to cooperate with authorities.

The assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has also launched its own inquiry into the procurement concerns.

If charges are preferred and convictions secured, those found guilty could face hefty fines, jail terms, and disqualification from holding public office under Kenya’s anti-corruption laws.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to recover any public funds that may have been lost through the alleged irregular procurement processes.

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In Murang’a town, EACC operatives arrested Police Constable Kelvin Mwangi of the Murang’a Traffic Base following a surveillance operation along the busy Kenol–Murang’a Road.

The operation by the anti-graft agency on Tuesday was prompted by multiple complaints from motorists about rampant bribery at traffic stops.

During the arrest, officers recovered KSh 6,450 in small denominations inluding Sh 50, Sh100 reportedly collected within a span of two hours.

Mwangi was taken to the EACC Central Regional Offices for processing and later booked at Nyeri Police Station, where he was released on cash bail as investigations continue.

His colleague, PC Mathew Osike, managed to escape but remains under investigation.

The operation also disrupted another suspected bribery point along the Kerugoya–Kutus Road near Bekam, where traffic officers reportedly fled into nearby bushes, abandoning official police attire.

Meanwhile, on the Coast, EACC officers arrested Police Corporal Haroun Mazera Chamutu of the Mtwapa Traffic Base for allegedly soliciting bribes along the Mombasa–Malindi Highway.

Investigators recovered Sh13,750 in various denominations from the suspect.

Chamutu was taken to the EACC Upper Coast Regional Office in Malindi for statement recording and further processing.

These arrests are part of a broader nationwide crackdown on corruption in essential public services, with a focus on traffic policing during the festive season.

The EACC says it is scaling up intelligence gathering and surveillance to ensure integrity, accountability, and professionalism among public officers.

“We will not tolerate corruption, especially in sectors that directly interact with the public. Members of the public are encouraged to report any corrupt practices through our reporting channels,” the Commission said in a statement on X

The EACC has vowed continued operations across the country, warning that traffic officers and other public servants involved in bribery will face swift legal action.

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Speaking on Monday during a Special Council Meeting of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), Koome emphasized the urgent need for public cooperation, coordinated enforcement, and respect for the law to curb road carnage.

“Do not pay any bribe when arrested. There will be heightened monitoring of human rights violations,” Justice Koome said, highlighting that enforcement agencies will closely watch operations to ensure accountability and protect citizens’ rights.

The Chief Justice highlighted that risky road behaviour, particularly speeding, tends to spike during holiday travel.

“We note the risky road behaviour which includes speeding, and we were asking one another if, when going for celebrations during this season, we forget that where we are going, whether it is to celebrate in our rural homes or wherever, those destinations do not move, so that we speed away,” she said.

The warning comes amid a worrying rise in road traffic deaths, from 4,479 in 2024 to 4,682 in 2025, a 5% increase, as authorities anticipate heavier traffic, congestion, and a spike in accidents during the holiday season.

“Risky behaviour such as speeding, fatigue, overlapping, and drunk driving continues to claim lives unnecessarily. Most victims are often innocent pedestrians or motorists,” Koome added.

Koome called for collaboration across the justice system and among road users, stressing that public awareness and coordinated enforcement were critical to saving lives.

“We are asking for collaboration and awareness about our own safety when we set out for the festivities. For seamless coordination, we need to work together—all of us in the justice system,” she said.

The NCAJ, which brings together the National Police Service, ODPP, Judiciary, NTSA, Kenya Prisons Service, EACC, LSK, and other agencies, has outlined a comprehensive multi-agency plan to enhance road safety.

Central to this initiative is the deployment of mobile traffic courts that will operate on both physical and digital platforms to fast-track cases during the festive period.

“Those charged will quickly get in touch with their lawyers through this system,” Koome noted.

Authorities will also increase roadblocks and inspections for vehicles and motorbikes, particularly along high-risk corridors, to ensure compliance with roadworthiness standards.

Motorists are being warned against overlapping, speeding, and drunk driving, while the public is urged to report violations and emergencies via toll-free numbers 999, 911, and 112.

Justice Koome stressed that road safety is a collective responsibility.

“No single agency can address road carnage alone. We must collaborate as the justice system, civil society, and the public to save lives. Enforcement, public awareness, and coordination are critical,” she said.

The Chief Justice outlined that authorities will roll out diverse measures to enhance road safety and prevent traffic-related deaths, noting that many victims are often innocent pedestrians or motorists.

“We must put in place elaborate and diverse measures to enhance road safety and prevent traffic-related deaths. Most of the time, people are innocent, either as pedestrians or drivers and someone else causes the accident,” she said.

A key initiative is the deployment of mobile traffic courts, using both physical and digital platforms to fast-track traffic cases during the festive period.

“We will deploy mobile traffic courts using physical and digital means, with close collaboration. We will share this so that those who are charged can quickly get in touch with their lawyers,” Koome said.

The council also announced that EACC officers will be deployed along major highways to deter corruption, ensuring that no driver is tempted to offer a bribe, and that human rights violations are closely monitored.

Additionally, health agencies will provide standby ambulances for rapid response to accidents.

“The festive season is a time of celebration, but it should not be a time of tragedy on our roads. By following traffic rules, refusing to engage in corruption, and looking out for one another, Kenyans can reduce accidents, save lives, and ensure safer travel,” Koome concluded.

The NCAJ’s communiqué underlines that addressing road safety is a shared responsibility, reaffirming that legal, policy, and administrative reforms, alongside public cooperation, are essential to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries during the festive season and beyond.

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The victory comes after the Environment and Land Court in Mombasa delivered a landmark judgment on December 10,2025 cancelling the fraudulent ownership of land parcel Mombasa Island/Block XI/983.

In a detailed ruling delivered by Justice Stephen Kibunja, the court found that the roadway land, originally reserved for the expansion of Tom Mboya Avenue, had been irregularly and fraudulently allocated to private individuals, nullifying all titles and restoring it to the public domain.

The case dates back to January 18 2008, when the then Kenya Anti‑Corruption Commission (KACC) predecessor to the EACC, filed a suit at the Environment and Land Court after investigations revealed that the road reserve had been unlawfully taken from its designated purpose.

The EACC’s probe showed that the parcel, measuring approximately 0.13 acres, was first allocated through an allotment letter in January 1996 without any formal application, a clear violation of land governance laws.

The court record shows that the allotment was first made to Isaac Munyi Njeru, before the then Land Registrar, Kenneth K. Githii, issued a Certificate of Lease in favour of Julius Mwamsae in 2002 at an annual consideration of KSh 6,000 for a 99‑year term.

In 2003, Mwamsae sold and transferred the lease to Mohamed Mahfudh Saad for KSh 500,000, after which a new Certificate of Lease was issued in Saad’s name.

In his ruling, Justice Kibunja explicitly ordered that the title registered in favour of Saad be cancelled and that the land revert to public ownership so it can be used in accordance with its original purpose.

The judgment also included a permanent injunction restraining Saad “from dealing with the property in any manner other than surrendering it to the government.”

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The anti-graft agency has accused the DPP of sidelining it in secret plea bargain negotiations aimed at terminating the high-profile corruption case, despite earlier court orders directing that all parties be fully involved in the process.

Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Charles Ondieki, EACC lawyers told the court that although the accused persons had formally written to the DPP seeking Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the commission was deliberately locked out of the final plea bargain talks.

“In a letter addressed to the DPP, the accused persons were seeking an alternative dispute resolution. In a response dated May 19, 2025, the EACC indicated that it was not opposed to negotiations, but with a rider that there must be a structured framework under Sections 137A to 137O of the Criminal Procedure Code,” the court was told.

EACC said it later attended several meetings convened by the DPP, with the last sitting held on August 28, 2025. However, during that meeting, the commission was informed that a plea bargain agreement had already been finalized and was only pending signing.

“We were informed that the matter was to be withdrawn under Section 137(1)(d) and Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code. We requested to be allowed to peruse the plea agreement before signing, but we were told we could not be given a copy,” EACC submitted.

The commission added that it was shocked when it was told the matter was “unique” and did not follow the ordinary practice of involving investigators in plea negotiations.

“At that point, we were ordered to leave the meeting by the DPP and we never saw the plea agreement,” the EACC lawyer told the court.

EACC further argued that the proposed mode of withdrawal was legally flawed and amounted to an abuse of the court process.

“The plea agreement seeks to withdraw the charges under Section 137 of the CPC, yet at paragraph 12(g) of the same agreement, it clearly states that the prosecution wishes to withdraw all charges under Section 87(a) of the CPC. This creates a legal conflict and confusion. You cannot sneak in a withdrawal through plea negotiations when the law requires a formal application with leave of the court,” the commission argued.

The anti-graft body also dismissed attempts to link the criminal case to civil forfeiture cases that had been settled earlier in the High Court.

“We were informed by the DPP that there was a settlement in two High Court civil forfeiture matters. We confirm that those civil proceedings were independent of this criminal trial, and Section 193A of the CPC allows both to proceed concurrently. The settlement in the civil matter cannot be used as a basis to terminate this criminal prosecution,” EACC lawyer mary Ng’anga submitted.

The commission specifically highlighted Count 12 of the charge sheet, which involves money laundering and the transfer of Sh256,730,688.

“We urge the court to look closely at the charges, including Count 12, where the accused persons are charged with money laundering and the transfer of Sh256,730,688, as this was never addressed in the civil settlements and should not be overlooked,” EACC stated.

“The EACC vehemently opposes the withdrawal of this case and urges that it proceeds to a full trial, as the plea agreement was signed without our involvement and does not address all the charges, including serious money laundering allegations.”

The DPP, through State Counsel Nora, told the court that a valid plea bargain agreement had been entered into between the prosecution and all the accused persons.

“The DPP urged the court to adopt the plea bargaining agreement, saying that the parties had engaged in extensive discussions to explore an alternative dispute resolution, and that the agreement was reached voluntarily with the accused persons to ensure a fair and efficient conclusion to the matter,” Prosecutor Nora said.

She stated that the decision was informed by previous forfeiture agreements reached in two High Court cases involving assets valued at over Sh1.9 billion and Sh75 million.

According to the prosecution, Obado and his co-accused had already forfeited assets worth Sh235.6 million to the government, which included two motor vehicles, a house in Loresho, a commercial block in Suna East, Migori, two five-storey residential blocks in Migori, two apartments and a maisonette in Greenspan, Nairobi, and a residential property in Kamagambo, Migori.

Obado, his children and the co-accused all individually confirmed to the court that they supported the plea bargain agreement.

“I fully understand the consequences of the plea bargaining agreement, including sentencing and compensation if need be. I was not forced or coerced into entering the agreement. I fully support it,” Obado told the court.

The former governor and his four children,Dan Achola Okoth, Susan Scarlet Akoth, Jerry Zachary and Evelyne Adhiambo, are charged with conspiracy to commit economic crimes and money laundering alongside their associates.

Others charged include Jared Peter Odoyo, Christine Akinyi Ochola, Joram Opala, Patroba Ochanda, Penina Auma, and Carolyne Anyango, as well as their companies.

The case has been in court since 2018, and only one prosecution witness, the investigating officer, has testified so far.

Magistrate Ondieki granted EACC and the DPP 14 days to file written submissions on the matter, while the defence was given seven days to respond.

The case will be mentioned on January 21, 2026.

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This is after the court on Wednesday December 3,2025 granted the prosecution more time to seek directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga.

Abala had been expected to plead to two criminal cases before Milimani Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa, but his lawyer, Steve Ogolla, sought a deferment pending a review of the charges.

Ogolla told the court that the defence had written to the DPP, Renson Ingonga, on November 26, 2025, requesting the recall of the file for further review, citing alleged gaps in investigations conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

“We have written to the DPP requesting intervention by way of recalling the file and satisfying himself that the file is complete and ready for plea. We are yet to receive a response on the same,” Ogolla told the court while seeking a four-week deferment.

The defence accused the EACC of failing to record statements from several key Kisumu County officials during the investigations.

“In our letter, we have accused the EACC of failing to interview the following officials, namely the County Human Resource Director, the Kisumu City Human Resources Officer, the County Payroll Manager, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, the County Travel and Logistics Officer, and even Abala’s own secretary,” Ogolla said.

The prosecution confirmed that the DPP had indeed received the defence request seeking a review of the charges and sought seven days to allow the DPP to issue formal directions.

In his ruling, Magistrate Barasa emphasized that the court could not interfere with or direct investigative agencies on how they should conduct their work.

“From the onset, this court must emphasize that it cannot instruct any investigating agency, including the EACC, on the manner in which it should conduct its investigations. Such authority is granted to the Office of the DPP,” Barasa ruled.

He observed that investigations into the case had already been completed and that two charge sheets had been prepared, which was why the accused had been presented in court for plea-taking.

“Upon listening to the prosecution in this case, investigations into the matter have concluded and that is the reason the charge sheets in both cases were drafted and filed. However, the defence counsel has informed the court that he has written to the DPP and raised issues touching on the complaint before this court,” Barasa stated.

The magistrate further acknowledged that the prosecution had received the defence letter and required time to obtain directions from the DPP as mandated under Article 157 of the Constitution, which empowers the DPP to oversee and direct criminal prosecutions.

The court also addressed an earlier request by the defence for Abala to be allowed to record a statement.

Barasa ruled that the request had been overtaken by events after it emerged that the suspect had already recorded statements on two different occasions.

“Indeed it is true that this court had earlier directed that the suspect be provided a chance to record a statement. However, in light of new information indicating that the relevant statement has already been recorded on two different occasions in November 2021 and February 2025, it would be inappropriate for this court to direct that the suspect record another statement prior to the taking of plea,” the magistrate ruled.

Barasa then granted the prosecution’s request for more time and set December 19, 2025, as the date for plea-taking. Abala was released on a Sh500,000 personal bond pending his next court appearance.

According to the charge sheets filed in court, Abala is accused of fraudulently acquiring Sh8,701,091 from the Kisumu County Government between September 22, 2020, and November 30, 2024, while serving as Kisumu City Manager, a position he is alleged to have obtained using a forged KCSE certificate.

He is further accused of forging and uttering a KCSE certificate bearing serial number 268532 and presenting it to the Kisumu County Public Service Board in order to secure employment.

In a separate case, Abala is accused of forging an invitation letter dated June 10, 2024, purportedly issued by the University of Lagos, inviting him to attend the CLEAN Air Forum in July 2024.

EACC investigators allege that he used the forged letter to claim Sh283,402.50 in excessive daily subsistence allowances.

He faces additional charges of forging the letter, uttering a false document, fraudulently acquiring public funds, abusing his office to confer a benefit on himself, and acquiring proceeds of crime.

Abala is also accused of facilitating the travel of a woman who is not a Kisumu County employee to Lagos, Nigeria, allegedly using falsified documentation.

He is expected to answer to all the charges when he returns to court for plea-taking on December 19, 2025.

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Delivering the judgment, Justice Benjamin Musyoki ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove key elements of the case against Lenolkulal and his co-accused, Hesbon Jack Wachira Ndathi and Bernard Ltarasi Lesurmat.

“This court finds that the appeals herein are merited and are hereby allowed. The convictions and sentences meted against the appellants… are set aside, and consequently the appellants Moses Kasaine Lenolkulal, Hesbon Jack Wachira Ndathi, and Bernard Ltarasi Lesurmat are hereby acquitted of the offences they were charged with in the said case,” Justice Musyoki declared.

The court also ordered that any fines previously paid by the three be refunded forthwith.

In addition, it set aside the previous order under Section 64 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA) that barred the trio from holding public office for ten years, effectively clearing the way for Lenolkulal to seek public positions.

Lenolkulal had initially been convicted on charges of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property, with the court ruling that he had knowingly acquired a direct private interest in a contract between Oryx Service Station, a company he owned, and the Samburu County Government for the supply of fuel.

Upon conviction, he had been ordered to pay fines totaling Sh85,460,995 or serve a four-year jail term.

Ndathi was accused of acting as a proxy to mask Lenolkulal’s interests, while Lesurmat faced charges of abuse of office.

The trial court had concluded that the three had misappropriated Sh84,695,996.55 from county funds.

However, Justice Musyoki observed that the prosecution’s case was fundamentally flawed.

He noted that the investigating officer had clarified their focus was on potential conflict of interest, not procurement irregularities.

“The trial court in reaching the fine imposed on the appellants relied on the element of benefit to the said appellants. A benefit is an advantage or profit gained from something… The duo cannot be said to have benefited from the entire sum of Sh84,695,996.55, as there were attendant costs and expenses associated with delivery and supply of the fuel. I do not think that this is the kind of benefit contemplated under the Section,” the judge noted.

The Court also questioned the assumption that Lenolkulal and Ndathi shared benefits equally, highlighting that evidence suggested Ndathi was merely a proxy.

Justice Musyoki clarified that for a charge under Section 48 of ACECA to succeed, there must be a quantifiable benefit to the accused or a demonstrable loss to another party.

In this case, the court found that the county had received the fuel and that no procurement irregularities or financial loss had been proven.

Regarding Lesurmat, the court found no evidence of abuse of office or improper benefit.

“The prosecution did not establish any special relationship between Ndathi and Lesurmat… it was not even shown that Lesurmat knew Ndathi at a personal level,” he ruled

The judge also emphasized that Lenolkulal had appropriately disclosed any potential conflict of interest.

“The 1st appellant had sufficiently declared possible conflict of interest, and it was the duty of those responsible for entering the information in the conflict of interest register to make appropriate entries,” Justice Musyoki said.

Last year, the trial court had ruled that Lenolkulal and Ndathi had engaged in conflict of interest and acquired public funds unlawfully.

Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki had stated, “The overwhelming and direct evidence shows that the Governor acted in conflict of interest and acquired direct personal benefit from the supply of fuel. A governor stands prohibited from trading with his county government.”

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In the suit filed At Anti-corruption High Court the Commission wants the millions of shillings so far frozen in five bank accounts belonging to the governor, his wife Anne Wanjiru Wamatangi, his son Brian Kimani Wamatangi, and daughter Michelle Wanjiku Wamatangi and five companies associated with him be forfeited to the state as they were acquired corruptly.

Through lawyer Ben Murei, the anti-graft agency says that Governor Wamatangi, while serving as Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, abused his position to influence the award of government tenders to companies associated with him.

The firms linked to the county boss include Lub Plus Oil & Energy Company Limited, King Group Company Limited, King Construction Company Limited, King Realtors Company Limited, and Quick Fix Auto Garage Limited, all said to have been used to receive irregular payments totaling over Sh813 million.

The alleged misconduct occurred between the 2018 to 2019 and 2021 to 2022 financial years.

According to the EACC, Wamatangi colluded with the companies to engage in fraudulent practices, including submitting forged or falsified bid documents to fraudulently win tenders and falsely demonstrating technical capacity to undertake the works to the detriment of the public.

The Commission argues that his Wife, son, and daughter were used as proxies to conceal the governor’s beneficial ownership of the companies that received payments from KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA.

The Commission further states that Wamatangi concealed his interest in companies irregularly awarded contracts by purporting to relinquish directorship to close family members and proxies.

Investigations, however, revealed that he remained a signatory to the companies’ bank accounts and continued to transact on them, making him the beneficial owner of the companies involved in the fraudulent dealings.”

Other associates of the governor named in the suit are Francis Njoroge Njenga, Samuel Mwangi Kariuki, Eunice Wairimu Mugo, James Kiarie Njoroge, Anthony Muchoki, and John Kinyanjui.

The Commission say the six acted as directors, signatories, or agents in the network of companies allegedly used to siphon public funds, forming part of the scheme through which Sh813 million was irregularly obtained from government road agencies.

EACC says that Governor Wamatangi and his co-defendants received substantial payments from the three government agencies under their oversight.

According to court documents, Quick Fix Auto GarageLtd received Sh18,796,070, while King Realtors Co. Ltd was paid Sh16,698,272.

King Group Co. Ltd allegedly received Sh29,837,411, while King Construction Co. Ltd was paid Sh438,985,045, making it the largest single recipient of the allegedly misappropriated funds.

Lub Plus Oil & Energy Co. Ltd, a company linked to Wamatangi’s family, received Sh308,788,733 from KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA.

“These payments were irregular, unlawful and constitute proceeds of corruption,” the Commission stated in court papers.

In its court papers, the EACC accuses Governor Wamatangi of abusing his position to improperly benefit from public contracts by influencing tender awards to companies under his control, engaging in conflict of interest, and holding private stakes in government projects.

The Commission further claims he failed to uphold integrity and transparency, saying he “did not demonstrate honesty in the execution of his public duties and acted contrary to his oath of office as a member of the Senate Committee.”

The suit also accuses the wamatangi and 13 others of violating the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2015, through collusion, submission of multiple bids, and falsification of reference letters to secure tenders.

For example, the EACC claims that five companies submitted bids for the same KeRRA project, defeating fair competition and violating procurement laws.

In addition, the Commission argues that the contracts awarded on the basis of fraud, misrepresentations and illegality are illegal, null and void

It further contends that the government cannot be certain it received value for money, and the defendants have been unjustly enriched at the public’s expense.

In July 2025, the High Court granted an order preserving monies held in the bank accounts of the implicated companies, pending conclusion of investigations.

The accounts include Family Bank accounts held in the names of King Group, King Realtors, King Construction, Quick Fix Auto Garage, and Lub Plus Oil & Energy Co. Ltd.

Through its lawyer Murei, the EACC argues that “no one should be allowed to benefit from their own illegal and wrongful acts.”

The Commission claims that the defendants, jointly and severally, acted fraudulently, illegally and/or unlawfully, leading to the misappropriation of public funds totaling Sh813,145,532.40 hence the funds should be forfeited to the state

Justice Lucy Njuguna has directed Governor wamatagi, his wife, childrene and associates to respond to the suit within 10 days ahead of the hearing on November 18,2025

The post EACC files suit to recover Sh813 Million from Kiambu Governor Wamatangi, Wife, and Children in Graft Case appeared first on Insider Bits News.

The ruling brings closure to a case that has gripped the city since 2014.

Milimani Anti-Corruption Magistrate Victor Wakumile ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove 17 graft counts against Kidero and his nine co-accused, relating to millions allegedly paid to companies for goods and services that were never delivered.

“In regard to counts 1 to 17, all accused persons are acquitted under section 210 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC),” said Magistrate Wakumile.

The court cleared Kidero of three corruption charges, including dealing with suspected proceeds of crime amounting to Sh24 million, and conspiracy to commit fraud involving the alleged loss of Sh213 million from City Hall during his tenure.

Also acquitted were acting Chief Finance Officer Luke Gatimu and Acting Head of Treasury Maurice Ochieng Okere, alongside Ndegwa and Mwakanongo, who faced charges of abusing office by improperly conferring Sh26.5 million to Ngurumani Traders Limited.

Former Chief Finance Officer Kiamba and others were also cleared of misappropriating Sh20 million.

However, former Nairobi County Head of Accounting Stephen Ogago Osiro, and John Githua and Grace Njeri, directors of Lodwar Wholesalers and Ngurumani Traders, were ordered to mount a defense.

“I find that the prosecution has proved the charges in counts 18 to 31 and 32 to 33. The accused persons, including Osiro, are put on their defence,” ruled Magistrate Wakumile.

The court said the trio must respond to 14 charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, including over Sh83 million allegedly obtained from City Hall in 2014 for undelivered services.

Githua and Njeri are also on defense for allegedly receiving over Sh70 million through Lodwar Wholesalers Limited between 2013 and 2016.

Kidero and his co-accused had been charged with conspiring to commit fraud, resulting in an alleged loss of Sh213,327,300 at City Hall between January 2014 and January 2016, with payments authorized to Ngurumani Traders and Lodwar Wholesalers Ltd for services not rendered.

The eight-year ordeal finally ends with the former county leaders walking free, closing a prolonged chapter in Nairobi’s fight against corruption while spotlighting the challenges of prosecuting complex financial crimes.

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In a petition filed before Justice Chacha Mwita at the Milimani Law Courts, the LSK is asking the court to order the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Registrar of Political Parties, the Attorney General, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to formulate and enforce a code of ethics for Members of Parliament.

The LSK argues that despite the existence of Chapter 6 of the Constitution, enforcement remains weak, and leaders with questionable integrity continue to occupy public office without consequence.

“Kenyans deserve leaders who are beyond reproach. The time has come to breathe life into Chapter 6 of the Constitution,” said LSK

“We are asking the court to compel these agencies to act not as passive bystanders but as active defenders of constitutional ethics and governance.”

The petition specifically seeks a declaration that Kenyans have not only a right but a constitutional duty to submit information about the lack of integrity of individuals seeking or already holding public office.

The LSK argues that such information, once verified, should automatically disqualify the implicated individuals from holding office.

In its pleadings, the LSK has also requested that the court orders the respondents to receive, verify, and act on integrity-related evidence submitted by members of the public, especially in instances where the oversight bodies have themselves failed or declined to act.

In a significant proposal that could shift the burden of accountability, the LSK wants the court to declare that any such information submitted to the relevant agencies, once proven to be accurate, should be considered ipso facto proof of lack of integrity.

Further, the petition asks the court to direct the respondents to verify the authenticity of such public submissions within 20 days of receipt.

If no action is taken within that timeframe, the LSK proposes that the submissions be treated as fully verified and actionable.

Perhaps most strikingly, the LSK is also asking for an order that would bar the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, as well as any other relevant state agencies, from continuing to pay salaries or allowances to elected leaders who are proven to have breached integrity standards under the Constitution.

According to the LSK, continued remuneration of such individuals constitutes a misuse of public funds and undermines the rule of law.

“Our prayer is not just for the courts, it is for the public, the voters, and our future. We are seeking to reclaim our institutions from individuals who have repeatedly betrayed the public trust,” the lawyer’s body says.

“We want to close the gap between what the Constitution promises and the reality that Kenyans live with every election cycle.”

Following the filing, Justice Mwita directed the LSK to serve the petition and accompanying documents to the EACC, the Registrar of Political Parties, the Attorney General, the IEBC, and the SRC.

The court ordered all respondents to file their responses within seven days of being served, covering both the main petition and the interim application for conservatory orders.

The matter has been scheduled for mention on September 29, 2025, when the court is expected to issue further directions, including on whether interim conservatory measures will be granted to temporarily halt certain actions or payments pending the outcome of the case.

The LSK’s suit comes at a time of mounting public pressure over the failure of key institutions to enforce leadership and integrity laws.

Despite repeated promises by state agencies and electoral bodies, several individuals facing corruption charges, ethical violations, or unresolved integrity questions continue to hold or seek public office without obstruction.

“We are not asking for new laws. We are simply asking the courts to ensure that the existing legal and constitutional framework is enforced with the seriousness it deserves, LSK says

If successful, the case could mark a watershed moment in the application of Chapter 6 and the role of citizen participation in upholding ethical governance in Kenya.

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